Tag Archives: memories

June Writing Workshops: interviewing and journaling

 

I am thrilled to be back at the WillyLitFest with two of my favourite workshops:

  • Interviewing Techniques for Memoir and Family History
  • The Writer’s Journal

Interviewing Techniques for Memoir and Family History

Saturday 16 June, 2.00pm-3.00pm

“Everyone has a story to tell, we just need to ask the right question.”

This workshop will show you how to plan, prepare and conduct an interview; gather your facts, and create the story.

Participants will be able to:

  • Research, prepare and plan an interview
  • Create question portfolio
  • Practice skills through role play
  • Write a brief narrative based on class activity
  • Confidence to conduct interviews
  • Book direct with venue: Willy Lit Fest

The Writer’s Journal Sunday

Sunday 17 June, 12.00pm-1.00pm

From the blank page to inspiration — get tips on how to nurture your creative seeds in this mini workshop on how to keep a writer’s journal.

This workshop will give you handy tips and ideas on how to use a writer’s notebook.

Participants will explore their imagination and create an inspiration list to assist their writing aspirations.

 

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Writing through grief

“His hands held the hammer and saw that built your childhood home. The place where you and your brothers loved and fought, and your mother died. His hands guided the spade and ploughed the earth. They were giving hands.“

Antonio Grisancich (1928 – 2010)

The first thing I wrote after my father died was his eulogy.

This piece of writing was one of the most difficult things I ever wrote, as anyone who has ever had to write a eulogy will know. How do you articulate a lifetime into a couple of A4 pages?

I have since written through my father’s grief many times since that first difficult ode. I find the act of writing both calming and restorative. Despite some tears shed when reading back through my words, I find comfort in the memories.

I wrote They Say in that first year of extreme grief. It gave me solace and comfort.

Follow the link to the story here.

 

Memories are forever

“In the northern Victorian town of Rupanyup, winter doesn’t wait for June. It arrives in May, with its frosty breath and icy fingers, and announces itself in the early morning frosts on the paddocks.”

‘Jack and Carmel’ by Anna Brasier

Many of us want to record our family stories for future generations.

We want them to be shared and cherished. One way to do this is, to make your own family history book – it can be as big or as little as you like.

A Celebration of Love.

My pre-Christmas book project was this little piece of #familyhistory. I wrote, edited and designed this short story on a special day for my in-laws.

Thanks to Jack and Carmel, who were my gracious interviewees for my ‘Interviewing Techniques for Family History and Memoir workshop’.

Family stories

“But there are those stories that I have only heard whispered close, mouth to ear, …”

I’ve always wanted to delve into my family’s past and uncover the stories I know lie in wait. Some stories come to mind easily; they are alive in my heart and mind.

But there are those stories that I have only heard whispered close, mouth to ear, when I was young — they are the stories I want to uncover.

These are the stories many of us want to uncover.

In my Interviewing Techniques for Memoir and Family History workshop, these are the stories that tug at the participants’ heart strings.

Here is a sample of some of the questions the group from Sunday’s Willy Lit Fest wanted to ask.

Family history questions

What do you remember about your last night before leaving?

I love watching you and Dad alone, tell me about how it makes you feel.

What was your first job when you left school?

What were your first impressions when you arrived?

What was life like before you left England?

Did you play sport during your teenage years?

Tell me about my cousins, aunties and uncles.

Why did you come to Australia?

Woman sitting thinking writing

Introduction to Creative Life Writing classes

“Fill your life with stories. It’s time to start writing.”

 

Woman sitting thinking writing

Woman thinking and writing.
Pixabay.com free online images

Join me for an Introduction to Creative Life Writing six-week course at Yarraville Community Centre, commencing 20 February 2016.

Session times: Saturday 2-4pm

Book directly with YCC

Introduction to Creative Life Writing

“Winter is the perfect season for staying indoors and keeping warm…and writing!”

If you’ve always wanted to give writing a go, but weren’t sure how to start, why don’t you come along to one of my ‘Introduction to Creative Life Writing’ courses?

Woman sitting thinking writing

Woman thinking and writing.
Pixabay.com free online images

I’ll be running two separate sessions:

  • Wednesdays commencing 5 August at Yarraville Community Centre from 7-9pm
  • Saturdays commencing 29 July at Maribyrnong Community Centre, from 2-4pm.

Book directly with your preferred centre:

Yarraville Community Centre

Maribyrnong Community Centre

Introduction to Creative Life Writing classes

“We all have a story to tell: personal stories, family histories and community events form the fabric of our lives.”

Have you always wanted to write…something, but didn’t know how or where to start? Join me for a six week ‘Introduction to Creative Live Writing’ course at Yarraville Community Centre, and discover your story.
Classes start 18 Feb, 7-9pm, $120. Bookings essential.

A story starts with one sentence...

A story starts with one sentence…

Please visit Yarraville Community Centre.